Born in Wabash, Indiana, on August 28th, 1924, Jimmy Daywalt rose from rough dirt tracks and bullrings to the top echelon of auto racing, the Indianapolis 500. During World War II, he left Wabash High School, joined the Air Corp, and flew B-24's over Germany. After returning to Wabash, he pursued racing in earnest, first with the CSRA and then with the AAA, succeeding at every level and reaching his goal of making the Indianapolis 500. In 1953, he won the prestigious Rookie of the Year award and followed it with seven more 500 appearances. In 1954, he qualified in the middle of row one and led the race, showing he had the talent to win the 500. Though he never achieved that victory, he remained one of racing's most beloved drivers until his untimely death from cancer on April 4, 1966.